It took nearly 2 hours and 23 rounds of words to determine the winner of Homer Junior High School’s Spelling Bee on Feb. 2.

The student, an eighth-grader who spelled the word “quarantine” correctly to win the school match, is now headed to the Will County Spelling Bee on March 7.

“Each year, it seems like the bee becomes more and more competitive,” said Assistant Principal Greg Zurales, who pronounced the words for each contestant. “I am just so impressed with how the students perform under such immense pressure.

“To make it to the finals of the school bee is quite a feat,” he continued. “To go 23 rounds with exceedingly challenging words each and every round is beyond remarkable. I am proud of all of our participants.”

The Bee started at 8 a.m. in the school library with 36 contestants who had advanced to the school level by winning their classroom Bees in reading class.

By 9:30 a.m., the competition was down to two final contestants. They went back and forth for 13 rounds.

The winner is no stranger to Spelling Bees. His sister won the Homer Junior High School Spelling Bee last year as well as the Will County Spelling Bee. She tied for 22nd place overall in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

This year’s Will County Spelling Bee will be held March 7 at Lockport Township High School.